Latest Developments in Roy Suryo Trial as Jokowi Set to Appear
The defamation case involving allegations that Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), had a forged university diploma, with Roy Suryo as the defendant, has entered a new phase. Jokowi is expected to appear at next week’s hearing.
At a continuation of the trial at the East Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (28 October 2026), prosecutors said they would call Jokowi to testify next week. Jokowi’s side welcomed the summons and confirmed that he would attend the hearing in Roy Suryo’s case.
Jokowi to testify at hearing on 5 November
The public prosecutors will call Jokowi in the trial over alleged slander and defamation, in which the defendant is Raden Mas Tumenggung Roy Suryo Notodiprojo, known as Roy Suryo. Prosecutors will also summon Jokowi’s aide, Syarif Muhammad Fitriansyah.
“With the court’s permission, Your Honour, we will summon witnesses named Ir H Joko Widodo and Syarif Muhammad Fitriansyah,” a prosecutor told the East Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (28 October 2026).
Prosecutors will summon Jokowi and Syarif to testify at the hearing next Thursday (5 November). A hearing involving defendant Tifauzia Tyassuma, also known as Dr Tifa, is scheduled for the same day.
“We request that the hearing be held on the same day as Tifa’s. We therefore ask for an adjournment until Thursday, 5 November 2026, in view of the proceedings, Your Honour,” the prosecutor said.
Jokowi confirms he is ready to attend
Jokowi’s aide, AKBP Syarif Muhammad Fitriansyah, said they had received the prosecutors’ summons. He confirmed that Jokowi would attend Roy Suryo’s trial next week to give evidence.
Syarif did not specify which documents Jokowi would bring, saying only that he would appear in court.
“That’s right. God willing, we will be there,” Syarif said when asked on Wednesday (28 October 2026) whether he and Jokowi would attend Roy Suryo’s hearing next week.
Roy Suryo responds to Jokowi’s summons
Roy Suryo has also commented on the plan to summon Jokowi to his trial. He described it as a moment the Indonesian public had long been waiting for.
“To the panel of judges, especially the respected presiding judge, who at the end of today’s hearing reached a conclusion or agreement that, God willing, will also be eagerly awaited by all Indonesians, because we have continued to urge that two things be brought before the court: first, the diploma said to be genuine; and second, the person listed as witness number one, namely Joko Widodo,” Roy Suryo said after the hearing at the East Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (28 October 2026).
Roy Suryo has been charged with slander and defamation against Jokowi. Prosecutors allege that he disseminated false information about Jokowi’s diploma.
In connection with the alleged acts, Roy faces charges under Article 433(1) in conjunction with Article 441(1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, with alternative charges under Article 35 in conjunction with Article 51(1) of Law No. 11 of 2008 on Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE), as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Penalties, and Article 32 in conjunction with Article 48(1) of the ITE Law, as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Penalties.